The Electoral Commission (EC) has taken a significant step towards the establishment of the Guan Constituency in the Oti Region.
The EC presented a Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) to Parliament, which, when passed, will pave the way for the people of the Guan Constituency, covering the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) traditional areas, to participate in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections and gain representation in Parliament.
Dr Serebour Quaicoe, Director of the EC's Electoral Services, disclosed these developments during an interview with the Daily Graphic on Tuesday. He highlighted the successful conclusion of all essential stakeholder consultations necessary for the establishment of the new constituency.
Notably, the residents of SALL have collectively chosen to name the new constituency ‘Guan,' with its capital designated as Likpe-Mate, aligning with the existing district's nomenclature.
During the 2020 general election, SALL residents were able to participate in the presidential election but were unable to vote in the parliamentary election due to insufficient time for the EC to present the required C.I. to Parliament for the creation of a new constituency.
Dr Quaicoe assured that all necessary preparations, including consultations and preliminary stages, have been successfully completed. With the resumption of Parliament's sessions, the 21-day timeline required for the passage of the C.I. to establish the Guan Constituency should be met by December 2023.
This timely process will ensure the people of SALL have the opportunity to participate in the 2024 parliamentary election, guaranteeing their rightful representation in Parliament.
Explaining the reasons behind SALL's inability to partake in the parliamentary election in 2020, Dr. Quaicoe clarified that while the Guan district assembly was established in November 2020, there was insufficient time for the EC to submit the C.I. to Parliament ahead of the general election in December.
